1 December 2024
White-breasted nuthatches (Sitta carolinensis) are small however spunky. After they have a great place on the feeder they defend it by puffing up.
Typically it’s only a delicate warning like this tail-fanning to a home sparrow.

Typically it’s an open wing show like this one to a tufted titmouse.

And if it’s actually essential the nuthatch opens its wings and sways aspect to aspect in a mesmerizing show. The bluebird on the opposite aspect of this feeder stares for some time and decides to not stick round.
I’ve by no means seen this swaying risk show however I discovered about it in BirdNote’s podcast: Nuthatches Sweeping the Nest after they described one other uncommon nuthatch conduct.
Do you know that white-breasted nuthatches use crushed bugs and different objects to put scent outdoors the doorway to their nests? Take heed to BirdNote to search out out extra …
… after which watch a nuthatch sweep a bug round its nest gap.
Now that winter is de facto right here, your feeders and wait to see a nuthatch inform the opposite birds, “I’m warning you!”